Summary
Ensuring one’s dynasty reaches ever greater heights of glory is the name of the game inCrusader Kings 3. However, maintaining hundreds of years of survival isn’t always easy, especially for small families. Luckily, players can unlock special Dynasty Legacies to help them in their journey.
Player characters who occupy the position of Dynasty Head get to decide which perks to unlock. Currently, there are sixteen Dynasty Legacy tracks comprised of five levels each. All of them are useful to some extent, although some of thebestCK3Dynasty Legaciesstand out among the rest as being exceedingly beneficial,no matter one’s playstyle or long-term goals.
Updated on Jul 28, 2025, by Ritwik Mitra:Crusader Kings 3 is a game with many layers, which is why it’s so impressive that newcomers won’t have a problem exploring this title’s complex systems. The tutorials and tooltips do a great job of informing gamers about the interconnected systems of this game, and dynasty legacies are something that intermediate players will get a hang of in no time. It’s important to choose thebest dynasty legacies in CK3so that successors can have an easier time building up their kingdoms and ensuring that they contribute to the growth of their dynasty, too.
22Heroic Bloodline – Legacy 5
Higher Taxes Are Always A Bonus
Sometimes,the simple allure of becoming a herois all it takes for fans to get invested in their playthrough ofCrusader Kings 3. This is why players should invest in the Heroic Bloodlinedynasty legacy inCK3from time to time, since it does a great job of ensuring that they can make the most of their flamboyant actions and reap sufficient rewards for their investments.
The fact that players can enhance a domain’s taxes with the final tier of this legacy will go a long way in ensuring that wealth accumulation takes no time at all. Getting the respect of holy people is also a bonus, and players can make the most of a helpful special building that ensures any enemy siege will take ages to complete.
21Activities – Legacy 4
Hunts Become More Rewarding Than Ever Before
Hunts are one of the many great activitiesthat players can invest in if they want a renown boost while bonding with other important kings and queens. Players who want to make the most of the gold they spend in carrying out this elaborate task will love the fourth tier of the Activities legacy dynasty.
Calling a hunt becomes more viable than ever before, with players having a great time enjoying higher experience gains for hunting and eager reveling. Along with this, they can also enjoy a decent chance of sighting legendary animals, which grants an even greater bonus to a player’s renown at the end of the hunt.
20Kin – Legacy 4
Schemes Against Family Members To Acquire The Throne Becomes Easier
While the Kin dynasty bloodline may seem like a great way to foster trust between dynasties, the reality isn’t that simple. For example, while the fourth tier of the Kindynasty legacy inCK3might improve relations within a dynasty, it also makes personal schemes against family easier to carry out.
This means that players hungry to inherit property can do the same with ease. Murdering a family member may be horrible for a ruler’s karma, but it goes a long way in ensuring that players can inherit land with ease and establish a kingdom that’s bigger and grander than anything the family has ever seen before.
19Warfare – Legacy 5
Makes The Men-At-Arms Regiments Even Stronger
Warfare is one of the first areas ofCrusader Kings 3that most people would want to brush up their skills on, since it’s the easiest and most interesting way to expand territories and show off their might to their aggressors. While raising levies is a decent way to amass a force, it’s important to invest in Men-at-Arms regiments to turn the tide of battle and use specialized forces to show enemies who’s boss.
However, after a point, players will reach a limit on the regiments that they can raise at a given time. Most people won’t need so many Men-at-Arms (especially if the cost of maintaining them is too high), but anyone who wants their military might to be superior can unlock one of thebest Dynasty Legacies inCK3if they invest enough Renown to unlock the fifth level of the Warfare track. Not only does it increase the number of Men-at-Arms regiments that players can raise, but it also lets them recruit the cheap and efficient House Guard that serves as a decent regiment to rely on in battle.
18Guile – Legacy 1
Perfect For Those Who Want To Make The Most Of Dread
Dread is one of the best ways to control one’s vassals and the population with fear alone. Not only does this prevent the ruler from being targeted by disgruntled vassals, but it also provides a bonus to the demands and requests that players make from others. So, it’s easy to see why players who want to enjoy a long and prosperous rule won’t mind increasing their Dread from time to time.
The Dynasty Head can help a ruler enjoy higher natural Dread and increase the amount of Dread gained from certain actions by investing in one ofCK3’s best Dynasty Legacies. The first level of the Guile track is cheap to unlock and helps players enjoy a cushion that lets themact like a tyrantfrom time to time without any fear of the repercussions that may arise from the same.
17Erudition – Legacy 2
A Great Way To Increase Piety Generation
It can be tricky to enjoy a steady flow of the four resources thatplayers must keep track of at all times. While players will find ways to ensure that their Gold, Prestige, and Renown reach acceptable levels, Piety is one particular resource that can be hard to manage for those who don’t pay enough attention to the religious side of things during their playthrough. This is where one of thebestCK3Dynasty Legaciescan step in to make things easier for them.
A Dynasty Head can invest in the second level of the Erudition track to increase the Piety they generate every month by 10%. On top of this, players can increase their opinion in the eyes of others if certain conditions are met, even if the bonuses aren’t all that impactful in the grand scheme of things.
16Pillage – Legacy 1
The Bonus To Prestige & Fame From Winning Battles Is Essential For Tribal Rulers
The Pillage Dynasty Legacy tree was introduced with theNorthern LordsDLC. Tribal rulers, especially in the early game, will engage in a lot of raiding and pillaging to increase their power. Fame and Prestige play a more central role in how a Tribal realm is managed than a Feudal government. The first legacy in the Pillage tree is an excellent place to start.
Although the increase in Prowess and naval speed is useful, it’s ultimately the third benefit that is the most beneficial. Ideally, players will want to win most of their battles anyway. Doing so will net them additional Fame and Prestige. The amount of Tribal vassal levies and taxes is directly tied to their overlord’s Fame, so acquiring more Fame is always welcome. More Fame also allows players to invade higher-level realms through the Conquest casus belli. In addition, the hiring of Men-at-Arms is tied to Prestige instead of gold, so this Dynasty Legacy is also helpful in that regard.
15Pillage – Legacy 3
Ransoming Prisoners Results In A Nice Source Of Prestige
Keeping with the theme of Tribal rulers, the third Dynasty Legacy perk of the Pillage branch is also worth keeping in mind.Raiding and laying siege to enemy holdingsoften goes hand-in-hand with acquiring prisoners. The increased likelihood of nabbing a few prisoners while raiding and sieging is an activity that Tribal rulers will be doing quite a lot anyway and snowballs into other benefits.
When players inevitably ransom these prisoners, netting more gold out of the deal is a nice bonus. However, getting Prestige equal to the amount of gold received is arguably even better considering the importance that Prestige plays in a Tribal government. Small ransoms can add up over time, while ransoms of important characters can net players a nice chunk of Prestige and gold.
14Legitimacy – Legacy 2
Increased Legitimacy Gain Can Get Rid Of Negative Modifiers More Quickly
The Legitimacy Dynasty Legacy tree was introduced with theLegends of the DeadDLC to complement the new Legitimacy mechanic. Legitimacy offers a clearer picture of how people perceive the player character’s suitability to rule. Low Legitimacy comes with a host of negative modifiers, while high Legitimacy offers several benefits.
Due to the wealth of unexpected occurrences that can result inCrusader Kings 3, players may not always be in control of a ruler with high Legitimacy. This perk comes in handy with its increased Legitimacy gain for the first ten years in power. This can help sweep away those negative modifiers more quickly, thereby stabilizing the realm faster before the situation gets worse.
13Warfare – Legacy 1
Increased Knight Effectiveness Can Tip The Scales In Battle
At the beginning of a new game, players will likely rely on military expansion to get the ball rolling. The heart of any military inCrusader Kings 3lies in Knights and Men-at-Arms. As such, choosing the first Dynasty Legacy from the Warfare branch isn’t a bad idea.
In a war between two relatively small realms, the boost to Knight Effectiveness can turn the tide of a close battle. The bonus to Prowess also makes the player character more effective in single combat, which is important if one intends touse them to lead armies. More martial-oriented dynasties will have to unlock this Legacy anyway to get the better perks.
